LOVE SPEAKS LOVE

 LOVE SPEAKS LOVE

Throughout this past month, I have read Facebook responses to the change of administration in our country. Whether they were for or against Biden or Trump, there were unkind words, defensive comments, and slurs made about each person. Mercy and grace given to us was often set aside to declare political and personal positions about the two individuals. I admit my own thoughtless guilt in this matter – whether spoken aloud or to myself. Though I may disagree with either person, my call is to show love for them both by word and deed.

Reviewing others and my own attitudes, the Holy Spirit convicted me of careless words in opposition to my call to love others as myself or as I would want to be loved. There was even the question of trusting God as King of the universe believing He can cause ALL THINGS (or people) to work out for our good. These were humbling conversations between He and I.

Bottom line: followers of Christ are called to love as Christ loved His Father, God. He taught on love in the gospels beginning with Matthew in the beatitudes. Instructions were to love our neighbor and our enemies and pray for them. James 1 tells us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger in order to produce uprightness. We are to be doers of God’s Word and not just hearers so that we don’t show ourselves to be frauds. This means my words and actions defend or defy the truth of the Good News of Jesus Christ and His salvation in me.

Proverbs 3:3-6 (AMP) reminds me: “Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them[securely]around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴ So find favor and high esteem in the sight of God and man .⁵ Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. ⁶ In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, and He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].”

by Joy Pedersen